Peace Garden News

In August, the People's Republic of China (PRC) announced a halt to all international adoptions, with exceptions only for those between blood relatives. This decision affected approximately 300 children in China who had been matched with American families as part of the adoption process.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, collaborated with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, and a bipartisan group of 103 members of Congress to address this issue. They sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to advocate for these families and children impacted by China's decision.

"We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made," stated the lawmakers in their letter.

"The American families that have been matched with their adoptive children are prepared to meet their long-term medical and emotional needs, and to give them the love and nurturing they need," they continued. "Many of these children know that they have a home, which in many cases have been prepared for their arrival since the families were notified that they were matched and moving forward with the adoption process."

Senator Cramer had previously joined his Congressional Coalition on Adoption co-chairs in requesting clarification from the U.S. Department of State regarding details and reasoning behind China's decision to halt adoptions.